52.23.3 Network Connect

Establishes a data service connection: a PDP context is activated (LTE, UMTS), or a PPP session is established (CDMA).
Network Connect Mode
The method of connecting to the cellular network is specified by the Mode parameter, as detailed under Configuration below: one of NDIS, RAS, and Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi option is available for smartphones, currently those built on the Qualcomm MSM8960 chipset.
Notes on Necessary Preparations

For certain devices, setting up an NDIS connection requires prior configuration using a software application delivered with the device.

Some LTE devices must be connected to the network manually, using their connection manager applications, rather than automatically in the Service Control script. Be aware that in these cases, you must still include a Network Connect activity in your script.

For other LTE devices, the connection manager must be started to enable the Network Connect activity in scripts.

See the Device Configuration Guide, section "Prerequisites for Network Connect" for specifics in this regard on various devices and device categories.
Preparations for using the device's Wi-Fi hotspot are covered in the Device Configuration Guide, chapter "Using a Device's Wi-Fi Hotspot for PC Tethering".
IP Sniffing
A side-effect of the Network Connect activity is to start a restricted form of IP sniffing that is performed continuously for the sake of collecting input to KPI calculations. (This IP sniffing collects only data needed for KPIs and is distinct from the full-scale variety which is initiated by the "Start IP Sniffing" activity.) If your data collecting device is unable to perform the IP sniffing, you can work around that problem by editing a line in the file <TEMS Investigation install dir>\Application\Investigation.exe.config, which by default reads:
<dataIpSnifferConfiguration ipSniffEnabled="true" ignoreIPSniffError="false" [...] />
You can either disable IP sniffing by setting ipSniffEnabled="false", or you can ignore failure to start IP sniffing and go ahead with the execution anyway: ignoreIPSniffError="true". Please note that in either case, no KPI data can be collected. TEMS Investigation must be restarted for any changes to take effect.

Configuration property:

Mode: Technology to use for connecting to the network: one of NDIS, RAS, or Wi-Fi.

The "Best available" option means either NDIS or RAS, where NDIS has priority. If NDIS is supported by the equipment but has to be performed outside of TEMS Investigation, RAS will be used if "Best available" is chosen and the equipment is not already connected to the network.

Note: RAS cannot be used under Windows 8 and Windows 10 (the IP sniffer does not start).

Succeed If Already Connected: This parameter governs what will happen if the device already has a network connection (a valid IP address) set up by other means when the Network Connect activity is run, for example using an external connection manager.

If set to True, the Network Connect activity will count as successful anyway, and on the Summary tab of the Service Control Monitor it will be noted that a connection was already available. This setting is useful if you want to be able to run Network Connect without full knowledge of the device's previous activities, and you wish to avoid triggering a failure just because the device was already connected.

If set to False, the Network Connect activity will count as a failure.
The parameters that follow are valid for NDIS and RAS, but not for Wi-Fi.

UMTS/LTE APN: The Access Point Name to use for UMTS and LTE networks. The parameter is not applicable to other cellular technologies. Leave this field empty if an APN is specified in the device (always needed for NDIS) or for the modem in Windows. Regarding devices for which the APN must be configured differently, see the Device Configuration Guide, sections "Access Point Name (APN) Configuration", .

RAS Phone Number: Phone number to use when performing a RAS dial. For UMTS this is usually *99#; however, if a CID "n" other than 1 is to be used you need to specify that value, as follows: *99***n#. For CDMA/EV-DO, enter #777.

NDIS CID: The CID (Connection Identifier) to connect with when NDIS is used.

User Name, Password: Certain operators require authentication in order to establish a data service connection. If this is the case for you, enter user and password here.

IP Address: Local IP address. Leave blank if the IP address is provided automatically by the operator.

Primary DNS: IP address of the primary domain name server. Leave blank if this is provided automatically by the operator.

Secondary DNS: IP address of the secondary domain name server. Leave blank if this is provided automatically by the operator.

Use Header Compression: Use of header compression for packet-switched (property of PS bearer).

Use Data Compression: Use of data compression for packet-switched (property of PS bearer).
List of network connect events.
Note especially that if a Network Connect has previously succeeded but the connection goes down later on, a "Network Connection Lost" event is generated. (NDIS only.)